Randy
I watched as John moved around his bedroom getting himself ready. He pulled out a beautifully tailored charcoal gray three-piece suit and paired it with a shirt so white it was almost glowing. He dressed, kissed me and left the apartment. Having nothing to do, I showered then wandered to one of the closets and found my meager amount of clothing. Back in Jersey I had a closet full of nice things. The tailored clothing, designer accessories and a closet for just footwear. But, when you're literally running and afraid for your life, you pack essentials and get the hell out. I wandered from room to room before settling in the living area to watch television
John
Farmer and the Deli
John stepped into the room and all eyes immediately fell on him and a feeling of dread washed over him. He wasn't quite ready to die, and it felt as if he'd just walked into his execution
"Relax, Johnny, we're just here to talk. Have a seat." John unbuttoned the bottom button of his suit jacket and took a seat. The one farthest from everyone else and closest to the door
"This about New Jersey?"
"Yeah." Paulie answered. "What the fuck happened?"
"Ralph and Ritchie came here stepping on our toes, mine especially. They roughed up three of my guys, in Brooklyn. I confronted them about it and their response was that they were just associates so no harm, no foul. Those fucks intercepted two trucks that we had coming to us which cost us about 80-100 grand. I set up another shipment and those rat fucking bastards called the cops! Now, I let all that other shit go but that I could not forgive so I set up a fake shipment knowing they would be there and popped them both. I don't regret it." No one said anything, just waiting for Vito to speak. The silence stretched on forever until Paulie spoke
"I say fuck 'em. Johnny did those Jersey fucks a favor by exterminating those rats." Vito lowered his steepled fingers
"Be that as it may, Johnny still took out two made guys without the go-ahead from their boss. We may have to meet."
"I'm with Johnny on this one, boss." Bobby said
"I understand why he did it, I never said I didn't, but the families have rules. You all know that." Since John was already in deep shit, he figured now would be a good time to tell them about Randy
"We might have another issue with Jersey…well, I have an issue."
"Christ."
"What the fuck is it?"
"Some guy came into the bar last night, so I chatted him up, turns out he's running from Tony Baccalieri."
"What do you mean he's running from Tony Baccalieri?"
"Apparently, they had a thing, Tony started beating him and he left New Jersey to get away from him. Tony doesn't want to let him go."
"Where the fuck do you figure into this?"
"He came to the club because he knew it was connected. I gave him the bartender job. I got a new bartender, by the way." John directed toward Paulie who bit back his laughter
"He didn't even interview! Tell me you at least let this guy suck your dick." Vito sighed
"Bobby." John stated. Everyone waited for him to say something. "I mean of course I did." The three men began to laugh boisterously before Vito slammed his hands down on the desk
"Enough! Why did you give him a job?"
"Because he got his dick wet."
"So help me, Bobby, I swear to Christ. John?"
"Aside from that other thing, I felt bad for him and I needed a bartender."
"Where is he now?"
"My place. I told him that he could have a job and protection in exchange for being my comare." Paulie coughed into his sleeve to cover his laughter
"So you got a guy running from a soldier of the Lombardo family working in your bar and, living I assume, in your apartment so you can fuck him? Do I have that right?" John nodded slowly
"Yeah, that covers it."
"Madonn! You're a dumb mother fucker, you know that?"
"As funny as this is, I must agree with Vito, Johnny. What the hell are you thinking? You're already in some shit with Jersey and now you're protecting, and fucking, Tony's piece of ass."
"It's not one of my best ideas but it's not like he was Tony's wife."
"That's true."
"While I wish that you had picked someone else to dip your dick in, what you do on your own time is not my concern. That'll be something you deal with when the time comes. However, we may need to meet with Lombardo and his underboss or his consigliere Lupertazzi."
"Ok. I have to meet with a union boss and collect from my guys."
"Get out of here and try not to fuck up anything for the rest of the goddamn day. Can you handle that?" John buttoned his jacket and smoothed the non-existent wrinkles
"Yeah, I can do that."
Later
John stepped into the brownstone and could see Randy who appeared to be kneeling on the floor
"The fuck are you doing?" He asked dropping the bags in his hands to the floor
"You forgot my charger so I took yours and you know how fu – short iPhone chargers are."
"There was no charger in your room."
"I packed it."
"There wasn't a charger in your room." Before Randy could respond, his once dead phone powered on and began vibrating and pinging like crazy with missed messages
"Shit." Over his shoulder, John could see who the messages were from. He grabbed the phone. "Hey!"
"Is there something you want to say to him?"
"Not really."
"Then you don't mind." He said sticking a straight pin he found in a kitchen drawer into the side of the phone and popping the SIM card tray out. He pocketed the card then broke the phone in half, tossing the remnants into the trash
"What the fuck!?"
"We talked about you and your mouth."
"I'm sorry but what did you expect me to say after watching you break my phone."
"Thank you." Randy huffed
"Thank you for breaking my phone." Much as he complained, John liked when Randy was feisty. He picked up the bags he'd dropped and offered them to the other man
"You're a pain in the ass but I got you some stuff."
"You did?"
"Yeah." Randy opened one bag and saw a few pairs of denim jeans and shirts. In the other he found more shirts, underwear and a brand-new iPhone
"Thank you, John."
"Yeah. Come here." The tall man made a move to stand up. "No. Stay on your knees." When Randy made it over to the couch where John was seated, the older man leaned forward and kissed him. Reaching forward, Randy undid John's pants and freed him from the confines. John sat back and watched the other man suck him deep down into his throat. Randy twisted his hand while hollowing his cheeks and sucking. He learned pretty quickly what the other man liked
"God almighty." John moaned loudly. "That's so fucking good. Suck just like that." In a matter of minutes, Randy tasted the salty spurt on his tongue. By now, he knew better than to waste a drop so he swallowed then licked the other man clean. John checked his watch then brushed his thumb over Randy's swollen bottom lip. "I want to fuck you."
"Ok." The older man smirked
"We don't have time unfortunately."
"Why?"
"You have work."
"I do?"
"Yeah. I want you to get training before Friday so Holly's going to train you tonight."
"But tomorrow is Friday."
"I know. Go change." Randy grabbed the bags and scrambled off the floor then disappeared down the hall. John reached for the buzzing phone in his pocket. "Yeah?"
"We have an issue. We need to meet. ASAP."
"Ok." John slipped the phone back in his pocket as he walked down to his bedroom. "There's something I need to handle so I can't drive you to the club."
"That's fine. I'll take the metro."
"Are you sure? I can get someone to drive you."
"I'll be fine."
"Then I'll drop you off at the station."
Piccoli Trattoria
John opened the door to the restaurant and nodded to the hostess. She smiled at him and stepped to the side allowing him a path to the back. The rich aroma that hung heavy in the air reminded John that he hadn't eaten since the early lunch he had with the union boss. He gave two sharp knocks to the door then opened it
"Johnny. Sit." Vito said brusquely. Undoing the button and slipping the jacket off, John placed it over the back of his chair then took a seat
"What's going on?" He heard a click then felt cool metal kiss the skin behind his ear. "What the fuck is going on?"
"You been telling family secrets?" He heard Bobby ask
"What in the fuck are you talking about? Family secrets? To who?"
"That's not a good enough answer, Johnny Boy."
"No I haven't been telling family secrets."
"Not even to that new comare? I've heard that things slip in the bedroom."
"Get the fuck out of here. We just met. What the fuck could I have possibly told him having known him for less than 24 hours and having my dick in his mouth most of that time?"
"You tell me." Having had enough, John stood quickly, pulling the gun from his waistband and pointing it at Bobby
"Now that we're on an even playing field, someone better tell me what the fuck is going on."
"Easy Johnny." Paulie said
"We have a rat among us." Vito calmly stated. John clicked the safety off and pulled the hammer back
"Easy!"
"And you thought it was me?"
"We don't know who it is."
"Will the two of you put those fucking guns away?"
"You first." John said. Without taking his eyes off John, Bobby lowered his gun and tucked it away. John then did the same. "You're a real prick for that."
"I know but I wanted to get your honest reaction. No harm, no foul." If Bobby had not been the consigliere of the Ferraro family, John would have shot him dead for pulling a gun on him like that
"Now that these two are done with their dick measuring contest, we need to get down to business." The small group discussed all plans of action to sniff out the rat in their ranks
….
John had just finished a bowl of spaghetti calabrese when his phone vibrated
"Yeah? I know it's you Holly. What do you mean? I dropped him off at the metro 45 minutes ago. He never showed up?!" Before the woman could say another word, John hung up
"What's the matter?"
"Randy never showed up at the club for training." John replied popping open the SIM tray of his phone and exchanging his card for the one he took from Randy earlier
Tony Black: I KNOW YOU'RE IN NEW YORK YOU DUMB FUCK!
Tony Black: I wish youd been in that hotel room when I got there so I could choke your ass with that charger
Tony Black: I'LL FIND YOU!
Tony Black: Sonny and Rob saw you on the train. Can't wait to see you
"Oh fuck."
"What's going on?"
"He sent goons here to find Randy. They saw him on the metro." John tossed money on the table and shoved his arms in the jacket
"Shit." Bobby said
"Take Mac and Sammy with you."
"I'll grab them on my way out." John said switching SIM cards again. "I need you guys to follow me. Long story but my new bartender is running from Tony Black in Jersey but they took him somewhere."
"Those Jersey fucks again? Let's go." Sammy said starting the car. John jumped into his Cadillac and sped off. He opened the tracking app he'd installed on Randy's phone and headed toward the Verrazano bridge. It didn't take long for him to realize that they were just on the other side of the bridge
"Rest stop." John muttered making a turn into the lot. He shut the lights off and slowed his car the more the dot flashed on his phone then stopped
"What's the matter?" Mac asked stepping from his car
"I'm tracking his phone and it's somewhere around here."
"Tracking his phone?"
"I told you it's a long story. Watch my back." John said as he walked slowly down a row of cars. The entire screen of his phone lit up when he stopped in front of a Lexus sedan. Removing his gun, John walked to the driver's side window and was poised to break it before he just tried the door and realized it was unlocked. "Fucking idiots." He pulled the lever to the trunk then moved around to the back. "I left you for 45 goddamn minutes." Randy rolled his eyes. John leaned down and grabbed the bound man from the trunk
"Johnny, we need to go. I see someone coming." John all but threw Randy into the passenger seat of his car
"You guys go." Sammy said. "We'll hang back and make sure you're not followed."
"Thanks guys." He drove a safe enough distance away before stopping the car and snatching the tape from the other man's mouth
"OW!"
"Lean forward." Randy did and John cut the tape from his wrists then from his ankles. "What the fuck happened?"
"Well first, thank you. How did you find me?"
"Installed an app on your phone."
"Of course. Anyway, they grabbed me as I was walking to the club." He rubbed the back of his head. "Hit me with something. Are you going to just randomly track me since I'm your concubine? Not that I don't appreciate it right now."
"I didn't randomly track you. Holly called and said you didn't show. Kept your old SIM card and saw the messages from Tony…he took your phone charger."
"Oh. So, you came after me?"
"Yeah."
"Why? If Tony kills me then I wouldn't be your problem anymore."
"Number one: you're not a problem. Two: you're mine now so no one gets to kill you…except me if you don't learn to mind your mouth. And three: I don't like it when people take things that belong to me."
"Can I still go to work?" John looked over at the other man as he drove. "What are you doing?! This isn't the Fast and the Furious, no stare and drive."
"You already almost died once today; you'd think me not watching the road would be the least of your worries."
"I'm beginning to like being alive again."
"Is that right?" John felt Randy slip his hand into his and found it comforting which made him uncomfortable. He never let comares get this close or relaxed
Weeks Later: John's Brownstone
Randy
I'm still working at the club. I'm still being kept in John's apartment and most importantly, I'm still alive. Living with John isn't so bad, in fact, spending a lot of time with a mafioso isn't out of the norm for me. The unpredictable schedule, not knowing if you'll get clipped as revenge on him, or not knowing if one day he just won't come home
"Johnny?"
"Yeah?"
"What's the matter?"
"Smells good." John said stepping into the kitchen
"Thank you. Don't distract me."
"What are you talking about?" He asked sliding an arm around the other man's waist and slipping a hand underneath his shirt
"Are you hungry?"
"Of course."
"Not for that." Randy stammered as John hoisted him over his shoulder. "My gravy!" John spun around and turned the burner off before carrying the other man to the bedroom. He deposited him on the large bed then settled on top of him. "Tell me what's wrong." Randy pleaded, running a finger over one of John's brows
"Stop talking and put your hands over your head." Without hesitation Randy did as he was told. When John pulled at his pants, he raised his hips then John removed his shirt. He put the man's legs over his shoulders, spread his cheeks and licked deeply. Randy moaned and wrapped his legs around John's head making him chuckle
"Don't stop."
"You're greedy." Randy gasped as John inserted two fingers
"I am." He whispered, his hips writhing. The tall man heard a growl and felt himself being flipped over. Behind him, John undressed slowly. He raised his hips slightly so that John could slip a small pillow underneath. He started panting as his ass was caressed. Slowly, John inched inside of him. "More." He inched deeper before pulling back and sliding in again. John set a torturous pace before leaning down and pounding. "Shit!"
….
"I have to work tonight." John said out of the blue. Randy raised his head from the man's chest
"The club?"
"No."
"Does this have anything to do with New Jersey?"
John
"It always has something to do with fucking New Jersey but not for the reason you think."
"So, it doesn't have anything to do with me?"
"No."
"Are you coming back?"
"Now why the fuck would you ask me that?"
"Because this could be a setup."
"Yeah, it could be but that would mean they know where you are and who's providing you protection. Who would have told them that information?" John asked looking pointedly at the other man
"Are you fucking serious?!"
"Watch your damn mouth."
"Why would I tell them that? How does that make sense?"
"Then how would they know? Huh?" Randy froze and both men knew what he wanted to say. "That would go against code. You're a mutt but even you know that."
"Stop calling me a mutt. Besides, you know that Vito doesn't like me so it wouldn't be far-fetched-" Before Randy could finish, John rolled over and pinned him to the bed. His voice was low and calm
"Don't you fucking say it, Randy."
"You're hurting me." John let him go. "Look, I'm sorry, I know he's your boss and what I said offended you-"
"No, it pissed me off."
"Ok. My point is, if you're gone then he doesn't have to see me anymore which would make him happy."
"But then he'd have a dead capo and lose money. No offense to you, but my life, to Vito, is more valuable than yours."
"Fine."
"What the fuck do you want from me?"
"For you to walk back in the door each time you walk out."
"Madonn."
"I need you, John." John felt a lump rise in his throat and swallowed it down then his chest tightened. He sighed
"You have me." He admitted
"I do?"
"You do." He said placing a hand on either side of the younger man's head. "I have the family and I have you. Does Vito like you? Not really but that doesn't bother me and it shouldn't bother you. I'm a made guy and as long as you're here, with me, you get the same respect I do."
"So, you're not letting other guys give you blowjobs behind my back or having sex with them?"
"What the fuck? No. You're a fucking nutjob. Did you seriously think I was out with other guys then coming here to be with you?" Randy shrugged
"You're gone for most of the day. I have no idea what you're out there doing. I mean, I hoped you weren't but it's not uncommon. And you call me your comare…I looked that up." The older man chuckled
"I told you what it was."
"Still." He kissed him hard
"Don't think you can start treating me like a fucking schmuck now."
"I'm not going to treat you like a fucking schmuck now."
"Goddamn it, Randy, that fucking mouth of yours. Jesus."
"Sorry."
"Go make me food while I take a shower." John said kissing the other man
"Ok."
Later: Brooklyn Bridge
John sat in his car with Paulie while Vito and Bobby were in Bobby's. They had a few other guys acting as lookouts just in case things went south. They watched as a blacked-out SUV rolled under the bridge and stopped. All four doors opened and members of the Ferraro family watched as the boss, underboss, consigliere, and capo of the Lombardo family step out
"Jesus Christ." John heard Paulie mutter. "If we get killed out here because of this-"
"Then we'll be dead." He interrupted
"You got a death wish?"
"Of course not but I'm still not sorry about what happened and I'm not going down without a fight."
"You got some balls on you, you know that?
"You have to in this business."
"Very true. We know you have no regrets about it but try to be humble out there. Let's go." They exited the car
"Vito Ferraro."
"Carmine Lombardo."
"I wish we were meeting under better circumstances because I always liked you."
"What do you want to talk about Carmine?"
"Where are my fucking guys!? And who gave you the right!?" The man said turning to John and exploding
"Be easy there, Carmine. I don't know what you think you heard but I'm sure you don't have all the facts."
"Oh? Is that right? So, this cazzo di merda didn't pop two of my made guys without my permission? And don't lie to me, Vito. I deserve more respect than that." Dickfaced piece of shit? John thought
"Ok," Vito said calmly. "Since we're talking respect, you think one of my guys would just off two of yours for shits and giggles or might there have been a reason?"
"Whether there was or wasn't-"
"No. No, there's a reason for everything."
"What's the possible fucking reason?!"
"Maybe your guys came into Brooklyn and stole from me. Maybe your guys came into Brooklyn and roughed up some of my guys. Maybe your guys disrespected the omertà." Never talk to the authorities
"Are you telling me I had snitches in my crew?"
"Maybe." Everyone felt the situation shift
"What proof do you have?" Carmine said seething. "What proof do you have to call my guys rats?"
"The newspapers. Had a shipment coming but the cops intercepted. Got a tip."
"I'm still waiting on the proof it was my guys." Vito sighed
"Carmine, none of us wants to believe we have unfaithful men in our ranks, but it happens. They'd already stolen shipments from me and, I hear, they tried a third time but weren't so lucky. Not sure what happened to them after that." The Lombardo underboss whispered to Carmine who gave him a sharp look then nodded
"Fine. I'll drop it for now but I'm going to check this story of yours out. If I find out you're lying, I'll be back."
"No problem."
"I have another issue to discuss."
"What?"
"One of my guys had his comare leave and he can't find him. Know anything about that?"
"I don't." Carmine turned to John
"Do you?" The Ferraro men all held their breath
"No." Paulie, Bobby and Vito exhaled
"Funny thing that is."
"We done here?"
"We're done." Carmine said extending a hand. "Let me know if you run into a guy from Jersey, will ya?"
"Yeah." Vito said vaguely. "Right." The eight men turned in the direction of their cars and walked away. "Johnny?"
"Yeah Vito?"
"This guy worth possibly being killed? Because they're going to find out."
"If Carmine didn't kill me over made guys then I don't think he gives a shit about Tony's goomah."
"Maybe, maybe not but he asked, and I put my neck on the line telling him no. Is he worth it?" Is Randy worth it? John thought. I mean, he allowed John to do whatever he wanted to him sexually and cooked his meals but what were his choices. "You seem conflicted. Figure it out and if he's not, you know what you have to do." John nodded
"Yeah. I know."
John dropped Paulie off on his street then drove to his own brownstone. He unlocked the door and stepped inside
"Johnny?"
"Yeah?"
"You're back."
"You sound disappointed." John said leaning down to give the man a kiss
"Of course I'm not disappointed. Stop it."
"You been baking?"
"Yes. You know I bake when I get nervous."
"What is it?"
"Lemon pound cake and torta della nonna." He sighed
"You better not turn into a fat fuck." Randy rolled his eyes. "What are you doing?" He looked down at his hands
"I noticed some stains on the clothes you wore the other day so I'm trying to get them before they set."
"I want some cake." John said dropping down onto the couch. Wordlessly, Randy got up and went to the kitchen. He came back with a piece of the lemon pound cake and a sliver of the torta. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Do I have to wait for you to finish before you talk to me?"
"Talk to you about what?"
"Tonight."
"You know I can't tell you about tonight."
"They didn't ask about me?"
"Yeah, they did."
"Oh my god."
"This cake is delicious."
"I don't want to talk about cake!" John put his fork on the plate and placed the plate on the coffee table in front of him
"Are you fucking crazy?"
"No. I'm sorry."
"Come." Randy slid over and sat with his back against the arm of the couch while his legs draped over John's. "You know I can't talk about business-"
"I-" John gripped the back of the man's neck
"Enough. They asked and as far as they know, we don't know and haven't seen who they're looking for."
"Ok."
"Now can I finish my cake before you say something else to make me lose my appetite?"
"You can finish the cake." Randy said handing the plate back
"Thank you. You really like baking? Because everything you make is fucking amazing."
"I like it but do it mostly for holidays and when I'm nervous."
"You should sell this shit."
"To who? How?"
"I'll buy you a bakery."
"You're crazy." Randy responded taking the clean plate and heading to the kitchen
"I'm serious. You can't work as a bartender forever. And a bakery would make you more money."
"Will you get a cut?"
"Of course." John heard the man laughing from the kitchen. Randy dropped the glass he was holding when the doorbell rang. "Go to the bedroom and be quiet." The older man told him as he pulled his gun
"I didn't know you had a doorbell." Randy whispered harshly as he went by. John slid along the wall and was poised to check the peephole when the person knocked hard
"Johnny, it's me, Joey." John put his gun away and opened the door
"What's up, Joey?" He asked stepping to the side
"I knew there was a meeting and I came to make sure you were doing ok."
"Why wouldn't I be ok?" Joey gave the man a pointed look
"You hear things." He said looking around
"Oh. I'm perfectly fine."
"You sure? Thought I heard a glass break when I rang the bell."
"You did. Soapy hands." Joey chuckled
"You need a wife to do that shit. That's what mine does."
"At least a maid. You want a drink or something?"
"Sure." John moved over to the bar area and fixed Joey a bourbon. He walked it to the man who sat on the couch
"Excuse me for a second." He said heading to his bedroom. There he closed the door and stepped into the bathroom where he found Randy. "Stay in here and don't make a fucking sound."
"Why? Who is it?"
"It's Joey and because I said. Something's not right." John spoke while removing his tie and untucking his shirttail. He took the gun he'd handed to the other man and concealed it under his now untucked shirt. "If you hear something, pretend you didn't."
"What the fuck is going on?" John lightly slapped his cheek
"Watch your mouth." He then kissed him. "Another?" He asked the man occupying his living room when he saw his empty glass. Joey jumped. "Are you alright?"
"I'm good…on both. However, I did notice the delicious smell in here. You burnin' candles now, Johnny?" John gave a laugh
"Comare baked. You want?"
"Nah, too late. I should have passed on the drink but you always have good shit."
"The best." John added sitting in an accent chair and scooting forward a bit. "What's going on, Joey? Not that I mind the company but it's a little late to be coming around to drink my liquor and sniff my apartment for the comares baked goods." The other man laughed
"No, I didn't come for that. I just wanted to stop by to make sure things were alright. I know we're in a fucked-up situation with New Jersey and had a feeling in my gut about the meeting. I called the other guys but stopped here because I was around. So, Carmine's satisfied?"
"I suppose so. Shook Vito's hand and we went our separate ways." Joey stood and so did John
"Sounds good then. I'll see you tomorrow sometime. I should have a package for you."
"See you tomorrow, Joe."